|
The Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning
Organization’s staff in conjunction with the Town of Indian
Trail, Town of Stallings, Union County, Town of Weddington, and
NCDOT hosted a public meeting on May 18, 2006, to present staff
findings and recommendations on a short term solution and
preferred long term alignment choice. Approximately twenty-four
individuals attended the meeting held at Antioch Elementary
School from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The meeting began at 6:15pm with staff
presenting information listed below:
-
Purpose of the realignment
-
Purpose of the study
-
Why define an alignment
-
Summary of what has transpired to date
-
Citizen issues and concerns
-
Recommended short term solution
-
Recommended long term solution
During and following the presentation staff
responded to citizen inquires. Board of Transportation
representative Larry Helms was present and participated in the
question and answer session. Subsequent to the formal
presentation citizens were encouraged to meet with staff
one-on-one to discuss additional issues, concerns, or share
comments.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
Short-term recommendation:
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Stallings, NCDOT and a developer have combined
efforts and resources to develop a plan to improve the
intersection configuration at Weddington-Matthews Road and
Antioch Church Road.
A developer has been granted approval from
the Town of Stallings to build a commercial shopping center on a
parcel adjacent to the Citgo gas station at the corner of
Weddington-Matthews Road and Antioch Church Road. As part of
the development process, intersection improvements will
ultimately correct and enhance mobility. Preliminary designs
have been submitted to the Town of Stallings and necessary
permits needed to begin construction have been issued (permits
will expire in six months). Currently the developer is
negotiating with an anchor tenant and does not have a tentative
construction schedule available at this time.
Prior to partnering with the Town of
Stallings and the developer, NCDOT completed a study which
justified the need to make intersection improvements. NCDOT
identified a potential funding source and began the process for
securing funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Proposed improvements included reconfiguring the existing “T”
intersection to create a four-way intersection with a traffic
signal. The fourth leg of the intersection is also the entrance
into the proposed shopping center. The geometry of the
intersection will be improved to allow for better right turn
movements from Weddington-Matthews Road onto Antioch Church Road
and left turn movements from Antioch Church Road onto
Weddington-Matthews Road. Turn lanes will be added on all legs
of the intersection.
In the event the developer is unable to
develop his site, NCDOT will continue to pursue the existing
funding source and examine other funding sources to improve the
intersection.
Staff supports the proposed recommendation
to reconfigure the intersection of Weddington-Matthews Road and
Antioch Church Road, creating a four-way intersection.
Long-term recommendation:
BACKGROUND:
Over the past year staff has held public meetings, received
comments, collected and analyzed data in an effort to make a
sound decision on a preferred alignment. Some of the data
included:
Tag Survey – An inventory of motor
vehicle flow at an intersection or other roadway location. At
intersections, vehicular movements are generally classified by
turning and straight movements.
Intersection Analysis – Examine
volumes of vehicular traffic at intersections to determine if
they are or not great enough to justify signalization.
2030 Model Volumes – A projection of
anticipated traffic volume levels once the 2030 roadway network
is complete and functioning. The 2030 network is proposed to be
completed between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2030.
Existing and future growth and
development – A review of development patterns and trends in
the study area and their existing and potential effect on the
roadway network.
Preliminary Engineering – Computer
generated layout of a road alignment which profile incorporates
topography, curvature, slope, design speed and other helpful
information. All alignments underwent a detailed analysis to
ascertain their feasibility and develop a specific, defined
alignment. This process will enable the right of way corridor
to be protected by the townships and municipalities as
development occurs around it.
During the presentation it was noted that
the long-term alignment is currently unfunded and has a horizon
year of 2030, meaning that the proposed alignment should be
built between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2030, provided
financial support is available.
Several alignment options created by
citizens and staff were evaluated for their viability. Many of
the alignment choices, although technically feasible to
construct, did not support the findings from the data
collected. Specifically, they did not allow for the necessary
through movements that future traffic volumes indicate will be
necessary. Other contributing factors that made alignment
options unworkable included proposed residential and commercial
development, utility power line poles, and proposed elementary
schools recreational fields.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff presented two alignment alternatives;
Option 1 (Extension of existing Chestnut Lane west
of Weddington-Matthews Road, meandering southwest until reaching
its terminus at Tilley Morris Road) and
Option 2 (Realignment of Chestnut Lane as it
appears on the Mecklenburg-Union Thoroughfare Plan, beginning at
a point where Chestnut Lane and Red Barn Trail intersect then
meandering southwest until reaching its terminus at
Weddington-Matthews Road and Antioch Church Road creating a four
way intersection).
Preliminary design of each alignment
revealed that both were feasible options. Additional data
collected based on vehicle turning movements indicated that a
significant amount of turns being made were from Tilley Morris
Road onto Chestnut Lane and the reverse. Projected two-way 2030
volumes along Chestnut Lane and Tilley Morris Road are estimated
to be in excess of 17,000 vehicles per day by the year 2030.
Data suggest that the existing alignment as shown on the
Thoroughfare Plan is appropriate to future growth and
development in the area.
Staff recommended
Option 2 (Modified Alignment) – The proposed alignment
has been shifted in an effort not to encroach on existing
structures and minimize the impact of the alignment on affected
properties.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff will present its findings and
recommendation to the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) on
July 6, 2006 at 10:00 am in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government
Center. The TCC will forward a recommendation to the
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for final approval.
The MPO will meet on July 19, 2006 at 7:00pm in the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.
Please note that the public can attend TCC
meetings, however, it is at the discretion of the TCC chairman
if public comment will be permitted. MPO meetings are public
meetings where citizens are granted an opportunity to voice
their opinions about transportation issues. Please note that a
time limit for each speaker is enforced.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT:
MUMPO encourages public participation in the
transportation planning process and employs the assistance of
citizens to ensure that the overall transportation system
reflects the desires of the public If you would like further information, please contact Barry Mosley of
the MUMPO staff at (704) 336-8314 or via e-mail at:
bmosley@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
Return to the
Chestnut Lane Road Project Main Page
|
